Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

Richard nodded; he was, of course, someone who knew about He Yi'an's next plan.

"Okay, Boss, you've convinced me. I'll work hard to push this project forward, so I can qualify to operate other projects!"

"Haha, Richard, you need to understand one thing: a good concept combined with a good story, as long as the marketing is successful, then you don't have to worry about not being able to buy it."

"The success of The Blair Witch Project proves that this model works. So why don't we use even more eye-catching gimmicks to capture the market and earn our first bargaining chip?"

"If this project succeeds, then it will become a very good bargaining chip for subsequent sequels and series development!"

"Besides, haven't you already identified a few potential partners?"

He Yi paused for a moment, then tapped the armrest next to him, his tone full of confidence: "After Venice this time, I'll go to Hollywood with you to work on this project, and at the same time, see which partners are worth collaborating with. With distribution channels, this film can be a success."

Richard nodded vigorously: "Boss, you've always been successful, I believe in you."

Got it!

All that He Yi'an just said was less useful than the successful image he had cultivated in Richard's mind.

But considering he's an American who's practically steeped in Protestantism, it's understandable.

Everyone talks about the so-called power of my thinking!

The Americans are truly the great power I've always thought of!

Everyone chooses to believe in the power of belief!

It wasn't until then that Yu Feihong, who had been listening in a daze, finally came to his senses and couldn't help but interject, "Brother An, this movie you're talking about... it's not that practice movie you told me about, is it? Is it one of those witch movies?"

He Yi'an looked at her, a mischievous smile flashing in his eyes: "Senior, congratulations, you guessed right!"

"Haven't you been studying filmmaking all this time? And you think filmmaking is difficult? Well, I'll show you what's really important in filmmaking. I'm planning to have you direct this film."

"What?!" Yu Feihong's eyes widened. "You really want me to direct? I... I've never even directed a proper short film!"

"That's why we're making it," He Yi'an said earnestly. "Senior, you're taking filmmaking way too seriously."

"Are you taking filmmaking too seriously?"

He Yi'an's words stunned Yu Feihong.

"Don't think of making movies as something high-class or sophisticated; it's actually not that difficult."

Seeing the disbelieving look on her face, He Yi'an calmly explained, "Didn't you keep asking me how those storyboards were drawn, how those shots were designed, and how those emotions were evoked?"

"Actually, senior, as a novice director, you don't need to worry too much about these things. Just follow the script and the setting, and do it the way you want."

"When making movies, especially low-budget mockuments like this, the most important thing is not how 'talented' you are, but whether you can honestly execute what's in the script and storyboard."

"I've actually attended some of the directing classes, and all I can say is that some of it is worth learning, but others are best left alone. Don't always elevate it to things like artistic expression, personal pursuits, and international perspectives—that's all too abstract. Just focus on making films realistically!"

Yu Feihong opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that what he said seemed... to be true.

After all, none of the directing students were nominated for Venice...

"So, senior," He Yi'an looked into her eyes, "I chose to let you film it because I wanted you to try it yourself."

"Once you've finished filming, you'll realize that making movies isn't high-class at all. No matter how much a movie is promoted or how well it's marketed, in the end it's just a product, nothing more."

That being said, He Yi'an's choice of Yu Feihong was definitely not just a casual remark.

He Yi'an's claims are based on facts!

"Love Comes Again" is a ghost movie, and "Paranormal Activity" is also a ghost movie.

Since we're going to be filming this kind of thing anyway, we might as well get used to it beforehand.

Give her a heads-up!

Absolutely accurate.

Moreover, if he hadn't given Yu Feihong a push and urged her to make progress, who knows how long it would have taken her to continue filming "Love Comes Again".

He didn't want his older sister, whom he considered a tool, to spend the next few years obsessively working on a single film, just to break her spirit.

Yu Feihong, of course, had no idea what He Yi'an was really thinking, but even so, he remained silent for a long time.

The boat sped across the lagoon, the sea breeze ruffling her hair, but also clearing away the jumble of thoughts in her mind.

Finally, she took a deep breath and nodded vigorously: "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Richard, watching this scene from the side, couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Boss, you not only know how to make movies, but you also know how to motivate people. You're a born capitalist!"

"No, I'm not a capitalist. During the international communist movement, capitalists would be hung from lampposts!"

He Yi'an ignored him and turned to look at Lido Island, which was getting closer and closer.

"Richard, let's start work tomorrow. After this film is finished, I have more important things to do."

……

Although the film festival has not officially opened yet, many filmmakers and journalists who came to scout out the location have already gathered on the island.

The posters at the main venue were undergoing final adjustments, and although the red carpet had not yet been laid out, many staff members were busily moving around, creating a lively atmosphere.

He Yi'an only glanced at it from afar and did not join in the fun. Instead, he followed Richard straight to the rented filming location.

He chose an old-fashioned apartment building on the east side of Lido Island.

After roughly estimating the walking time, Richard was right; it was indeed only a ten-minute walk from here to the main venue.

The landlord was a retired university professor who went to Greece for summer vacation. Since the house was empty anyway, Richard rented it for a reasonable price to use as a filming location for "Paranormal Activity".

"This place is nice." He Yi'an stood in the living room, looking around.

The apartment is small, with two bedrooms and a living room, and the decoration is in a typical Italian style.

Dark wooden floors, white walls, a few simple pieces of furniture, and a small patch of sea visible from the window.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

"It looks alright during the day, but it gets a bit creepy at night." Richard chuckled and pointed to the bedrooms, "Especially the master bedroom, there are always strange noises at night."

"The landlord said it was a problem with the water pipes in the old house, but when I chose this place, I felt... it was really suitable for filming ghost movies, and it could even provide more sound effects."

He Yi'an walked into the bedroom, looked around, and nodded in satisfaction: "This is it."

"No need for elaborate lighting; natural light plus a table lamp will suffice."

"Use a home-use DV camera, don't use a professional one, it's too clean and doesn't look real."

Richard noted it down: "I've scheduled the actors for an audition at 2 p.m., a man and a woman, both Hollywood extras."

"No need for an audition." He Yi'an waved his hand. "As long as the appearance is right and you can speak English, this film doesn't require acting skills, it just needs 'authenticity'."

After assigning Richard his tasks, He Yi'an took out a thin script and pre-drawn storyboards and handed them to Yu Feihong.

"Senior, take a look at the script and storyboards, and get into character!"

"Don't overthink it, just keep filming~"

------

P.S.: I won't write about the details of filming this, I'll just gloss over it. The Venice Film Festival officially starts tomorrow.